WO2002093509A1

WO2002093509A1 - Vehicle parking meter system

Info

Publication number: WO2002093509A1
Application number: PCT/SG2002/000096
Authority: WO
Inventors: May May Yvonne Lim
Original assignee: May May Yvonne Lim
Priority date: 2001-05-16
Filing date: 2002-05-16
Publication date: 2002-11-21
Also published as: SG94821A1

Abstract

A parking meter unit (10) is disclosed for mounting in a vehicle. The parking meter unit (10) includes processing means (20) and timing means (23) for supplying timing signals to the processing means. The parking meter unit (10) further includes card reading means (21) for deducting value from a stored value card under control of the processing (20) means and transceiver means (24) operably associated with the processing means (20) for exchanging data with an interrogating unit, the interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate a status of the parking meter unit remote from the parking meter unit (10). The interrogating unit may be adapted to forward a penalty message to the parking meter unit (10) in response to an invalid status of the parking meter unit (10).

Description

VEHICLE PARKING METER SYSTEM

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle parking meter system and in particular although not solely to a vehicle mountable meter unit and associated interrogating unit which may be used to determine the status of the vehicle meter unit.

Background of the Invention

Roadside and other unenclosed car parks are not uncommon. Present systems for collecting payment from motorists using such facilities include coin operated parking meters, cash-operated ticket dispensing machines (wherein tickets are displayed in the vehicle), and pre-purchased coupons (also for display in the vehicle) with tabs indicating time and date of commencement of parking to be torn off.

Disadvantages of the prior art systems include vulnerability to vandalism and a requirement that the motorist have cash in hand. Cash operated meters and machines also need to be maintained and require collection personnel to periodically service the meters/machines. Pre-purchased coupons also have short-comings in that a situation frequently arises where a motorist has reached his destination and parked his car only to discover that he has exhausted his stock of coupons. The motorist then has to obtain more coupons from an outlet such as a newsagent or petrol station or another motorist. While he does so his vehicle will be illegally parked and he may be issued with a penalty notice. Although vehicle mounted parking meter units are known, the known arrangements generally require visual inspection by a parking control person. It is desirable to provide a vehicle mounted parking meter system wherein the status of the parking meter unit can be determined from a remote location and wherein, if appropriate, a penalty notice may be issued in response to a showing of an inactive or otherwise invalid status of the parking meter unit.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle parking meter system which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. Summary of the Invention

The present invention comprises a parking meter unit suitable for mounting in a vehicle, said parking meter unit including: processing means; timing means for supplying timing signals to said processing means; card reading means for deducting value from a stored value card under control of said processing means; and transceiver means operably associated with said processing means for exchanging data with a portable interrogating unit, said portable interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate the status of said parking meter unit remote from said parking meter unit, wherein said processing means has at least a) an active mode wherein value is deducted from said stored value card as a rate or rates selected by said user, and b) a standby mode wherein no value is deducted from said stored value card said processing means switchable between said active and standby modes and in response to said timing means at preselected intervals.

In a second aspect the present invention consists is a parking meter system including: a parking meter unit suitable for mounting in a vehicle said parking meter unit including: processing means; timing means for supplying timing signals to said processing means; card reading means for deducting value from a stored value card under control of said processing means; and transceiver means operably associated with said processing means wherein said processing means has at least

. a) an active mode wherein value is deducted from said stored value card as a rate or rates selected by said user, and b) a standby mode wherein no value is deducted from said stored value card said processing means switchable between said active and standby modes and in response to said timing means at preselected intervals, and a portable interrogating unit adapted to exchange data with a portable interrogating unit, said portable interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate the status of said parking meter unit remote from said parking meter unit by communicating via said transceiver means. Preferably said stored value card is deducted in value by said card reading means under the control of said processing means (when in said active mode) which is in a user selected deduction mode selected from one of (a) a single deduction mode wherein a singular deduction is made per user selection and (b) a multiple deduction mode wherein a deduction is made at predetermined time intervals. Preferably when said processing means is in said active mode and said multiple deduction mode each said deduction is made at a value selected by said user.

Preferably when said processing means is in said active mode and said multiple deduction mode, said processing means may switch at a predetermined time in response to said timing means from deducting at a value selected by said user to deducting at another value.

Preferably said value may be selected by a user when said processing means is in said standby mode.

Preferably a display means is provided for displaying to a user data associated with said status. Preferably said parking meter unit can receive a penalty message from said interrogating unit in response said interrogating unit detecting a status of the parking meter unit which does not match with allowable parameters of valid parking , said penalty message capable of being displayed by said display means.

Preferably said transceiver means includes a wireless infra-red transceiver. Preferably said card reading means includes a smart card reader.

Preferably said display means includes a liquid crystal display panel.

Preferably a sound transducer is provided for emitting a sound that varies according to the deduction mode selected.

Preferably said sound transducer for emitting a sound that varies according to the deduction value selected.

Preferably said processing means includes a micro-controller.

Preferably said interrogating unit includes or is associated with printing means for printing a penalty notice. Preferably said parking meter includes an information storage means which can store penalty information which is sent from the interrogation unit to the parking meter unit.

Preferably said information storage means can also store parking meter unit status information of the status of the parking meter at the time when the penalty information is sent form the interrogation unit.

Preferably said parking meter status information includes any one or more selected from (a) the time, (b) the user selected rate and (c) the time elapsed since expiry of the value of said stored value card. In a further aspect the present invention consists in a parking meter system including: a parking meter unit suitable for mounting in a vehicle said parking meter unit including: processing means; timing means for supplying timing signals to said processing means; card reading means capable of deducting value from a stored value card under control of said processing means at a user selectable rate; and transceiver means operably associated with said processing means and a portable interrogating unit adapted to exchange data with a portable interrogating unit, said portable interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate the status of said parking meter unit remote from said parking meter unit by communicating via said transceiver means wherein said parking meter unit can receive a penalty message from said interrogating unit in response said interrogating unit detecting a status of the parking meter unit which does not match with allowable parameters of valid parking , said penalty message capable of being displayed by said display means.

Preferably said parking meter includes an information storage means which can store penalty information which is sent from the interrogation unit to the parking meter unit. Preferably said information storage means can also store parking meter unit status information of the status of the parking meter at the time when the penalty information is sent form the interrogation unit. Preferably said parking meter status information includes any one or more selected from (a) the time, (b) the user selectable rate and (c) the time elapsed since expiry of the value of said stored value card.

Preferably said vehicle parking meter includes an information storage means which contains identification information such as the vehicle license plate number, the vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner information.

Preferably the identification information is transferable to the interrogation unit and can be stored thereby.

The present invention may provide a vehicle mounted parking meter unit (PMU) for regulating parking. The PMU may include an electronic meter. In operation, a motorist, upon parking his car, may insert his smart card (which has a stored value, refϊllable at an Automatic Teller Machine or the like) into the PMU. Depending on the zone in which the vehicle is parked, the motorist may activate the PMU by pressing a button marked with the parking rate applicable in that zone. Once the PMU is activated, the smart card may be continuously debited until such time as the motorist cancels the operation by pressing another button or when the smart card value is exhausted.

For enforcement purposes, i.e. to check if the PMU is active as described above, a traffic warden may be issued with an interrogating unit. The traffic warden may use the interrogating unit to query if the PMU is active or has an otherwise invalid status (eg. inappropriate parking rate selected for the zone in which the vehicle is parked). If the PMU is not active or has an invalid status, the interrogating unit can indicate an appropriate penalty based on one or more pre-programmed algorithms. The interrogating unit may include a control panel and a display panel. The interrogating unit may use wireless communications to exchange data with the PMU. The PMU may include a smart card reader module, a display module, a real time clock module, a transceiver module and a micro controller or microprocessor programmed to control the preceding modules. The display module may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. The transceiver module may include an infrared transceiver. The micro-controller may include for example an Intel circuit type 87C52 or equivalent.

The smart card reader module may deduct value from an inserted stored-value card. The display module may provide a window for communication of display data to users. The real time clock module may provide to the micro-controller signals at regular intervals to inform the latter when to deduct value from the stored-value card. The PMU may include a plurality of user selectable parking rates. Preferably stored value deduction takes place between set active hours, eg. between 0800 to 1700 hours. If the time falls outside of the active hours, the PMU may enter a standby mode until the time reaches the active hours. Multiplezones may also be provided for by the unit wherein the smart card is debited at different rates during active hours dependent on different parking rates which may be charged during a certain time frame. The PMU may include beeper and LCD display warnings for low value card, invalid card, and as a prompt/reminder to select an appropriate parking rate. The transceiver module may enable communication to the outside world to for example a remote device. In one form the transceiver module may provide communication with the interrogating unit which is for example issued to the traffic warden.

The interrogating unit may interrogate the PMU to ascertain if the PMU and any inserted stored-value card are authentic. The interrogating unit may interrogate the PMU for a user selected parking rate and for expired time used (e.g. time elapsed since the stored value was depleted while being deducted). This information may allow the traffic warden to compose a correct penalty to impose. The warden may be able to send information such as a penalty message directly to the PMU via the interrogating unit, to inform the driver of the amount he is being fined. This information may appear on the PMU's LCD display panel so that the driver can be conveniently informed. Additionally or alternatively the interrogating unit may be integrated or associated with printing means for printing of a penalty notice. The printed penalty notice may be affixed to the offending vehicle or it may be posted to the registered owner of the vehicle. Where a penalty message was sent directly to the PMU, the printed notice may serve as a confirmation of the penalty or to draw to the attention of the owner/driver of the vehicle that the penalty message was sent. The PMU may have stored information on the vehicle identity which can also be interrogated by the interrogation unit to allow this information to be used in printing the ticket and/or storing it on the interrogating unit to be later transferred to a central database, or the like. Brief Description of The Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle mounted parking meter system according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a block diagram of a PMU; Fig. 3 shows a front panel of a PMU; Fig. 4 shows a power up function associated with the PMU;

Fig. 5 shows a card slotting and selection function associated with the PMU; Fig. 6 shows a time and date setting function associated with the PMU; Fig. 7 shows a warden interrogating unit;

Fig. 8A-8F show power up, enquiry, penalty and reset functions associated with the interrogating unit;

Fig. 9 shows a smart card top up unit;

Fig.lOA and 10B show power-up and top-up functions associated with the top- up unit; Fig. 11 shows a flow chart of software associated with the smart card reader; Fig. 12 shows a flow chart of software associated with accessing data from the smart card;

Fig. 13 shows a flow chart of software associated with operation of the parking meter unit;

Fig. 14 shows a flow chart of software associated with an interrupt sub-routine (from RTC interrupt pin);

Fig.15 shows a flow chart of software associated with time status; Fig. 16 shows a flow chart of software associated with an interrupt sub-routine (time-setting);

Fig. 17 shows a flow chart of software associated with an interrupt sub-routine (from interrogating unit);

Fig. 18 shows a flow chart of software associated with operation of the interrogating unit;

Fig. 19 shows a flow chart of software associated with the interrogating unit (functional flow); and Fig. 20 shows a flow chart of software associated with reading of data and conversion of ASCII code.

Detailed Description of The Invention

Fig.l shows a parking system including a vehicle mounted electronic parking meter unit (PMU) 10 and an interrogating unit 11. A top up unit (not shown in Fig.l) may also form part of the system.

The PMU

The PMU can be switched ON and OFF by an appropriate switch and be powered from a power source. In the ON condition, the PMU has two modes of operation, an active mode and an inactive or standby mode.

When in the active mode the PMU 10 continually deducts from an inserted pre- paid stored value or smart card an amount corresponding to a user selected parking rate while the associated vehicle is parked. When in the inactive mode the PMU 10 does not deduct any value from the smart card but is in a condition ready to switch to the active mode when a certain specified time is reached. Although the term "smart card" and "pre-pay card" are used interchangeably throughout the specification, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any type of stored value card, debit card or charge card may be used. With advent of payment using Hand Phones or Cellular phones, such technology may also be adapted to be used with the system of the present invention.

Fig 2 shows a block diagram for the PMU and includes a micro-controller 20, smart card reader 21, LCD display panel 22, real time clock 23 and infra-red transceiver 24. Smart card reader 21 deducts value from the smart card once this is inserted in the smart card reader 21. LCD display panel 22 provides a window of communication to users. It may display the time, the smart card value, instructions, and fine messages. It may also display any other useful information. The LCD or a sound beeper may be used to give warnings for, for example a low-value card, an invalid card, as a prompt/reminder to select the parking rate.

Real-time clock 23 provides the micro-controller 20 with regular fixed-interval signals to inform it to perform, together with the smart card reader 21, real-time deduction from the smart card. Infra-red transceiver 24 enables communication to the interrogating unit carried by a car-park warden.

Fig 3 shows a front panel of a PMU. LCD display panel 30 displays information including smart card value, calendar data (date and time), instructions and important messages. Infra-red transceiver window 31 allows the PMU to communicate with the car park warden's interrogating unit via a wireless communication link. Slot 32 is associated with a card reader mounted in the PMU. The smart card reader may for example be a type GCI400 or GCI410 device and may include a full range of interfacing functions. The smart card which is inserted into slot 32 holds prepaid value for deduction.

A buzzer or other sound transducer which is arranged to emit a sound that varies in tone, tune or otherwise according to a selected parking rate and/or mode of operation, may indicate to the user parking rates which have been chosen and/or whether the PMU is in the active mode or in the standby mode. In the active mode deduction is in progress and in standby mode smart card is not being deducted in value but deductions will start when the PMU reaches a certain time status.

The PMU may be powered via a power adapter provided with the unit. A switch to control power delivery to the PMU may be provided.

Following power-up instructions to be followed by the user may be displayed on the PMU. Such instructions may allow the users to chose between a REAL mode and a TEST mode. Fig. 4 show for example such instructions. In REAL Mode the PMU is in a normal operation and when in active mode the PMU will perform a deduction from the smart card, every 5 minutes. TEST Mode is for testing and demonstration purposes and a simulated deduction occurs every 5 seconds. The user is also able to select the rate at which deductions are made from the smart card. The rate chosen should be the going rate for the area in which the vehicle is parked. Many cities have premium rate parking areas (such as in the CBD) and regular parking areas (such as where the traffic/parking volume is less dense or where space demand is not high) The PMU of the present invention for example allows the user to select a 12

Baht, 24 Baht or Full day rate of deduction from the smart card. During active deduction hours of say between 0800 and 1700 hours, the smart card will be deducted at that selected rate. When the 12B, 24B or FULL rate button is depressed, the sound transducer will change its tone (denoting that deduction is activated). Deduction will only be performed once the button has been depressed and a smart card remains inserted with the reader. 12B denotes 12 Baht per hour (1 Baht per 5 min) and 24B denotes 24 Baht per hour (2 Baht per 5 min). FULL denotes 88 Baht per day. For 12B and 24B, the deduction is carried out evenly 5 minutes (in active mode). For a full day's parking, 88 Baht will be deducted in a single transaction when the button is pressed. All rates will be reset when the smart card is removed from the PMU.

The user places the smart card in slot 32 ensuring that the card contact is facing in the correct direction to make contact with the appropriate components in the smart card reader down. If the card value is below a minimum value set by the unit, such as for example 100 Baht, a warning may sound. For example there will be two short "beep" sounds and a message will display on LCD panel 30 as shown in Fig 5. Once the card is inserted, the user may then choose the appropriate rate.

Although not preferred as this may cause confusion in operation of the device, the user may also depress the "TIME SETTING" button for setting the time. This is done for setting the timer on the PMU to correspond with the actual local time. This allows the PMU to know when a certain time is reached wherein it can then switch between different parking rates to deduct a at a differing rate from the smart card including switching between active and standby modes.

For time setting purposes, the display will appear as shown in Figure 6. The button marked 12B/ ^Λ is used to increase the time and date. The button marked 24B/> is used to change the position of the cursor. The button marked FULL/0 is used to save a new time setting. Depressing the TIME SETTING button again will cause the device to exit the time setting mode. If the button is not depressed, the device will resume normal operation after 10 seconds. The unit is able to make a selection of the rate at which the card is deducted which corresponds to the parking rate which applies to the area in which the vehicle is parked. For example the parking rate in CBD areas may be 24 Bahts and in residential areas it may. be 12 Bahts. In terms of switching between the active and inactive modes, corresponding to a charging mode and a non charging but ready to charge mode, the device is able to be pre-programmed with information relating to when corresponding time bands become operative. For example the unit will switch to an active mode at a preprogrammed time which corresponds to the time at which a parking fee becomes payable. The device for example can be programmed to switch to the active mode at 8am. In the active mode, assuming the 12 or 24 baht buttons are depressed and the charge card is inserted, value from the charge card will automatically start to be deducted. Likewise the unit can be preprogrammed to automatically switch from the active mode to the inactive mode at a preprogrammed time to stop value being deducted from the card. Time zone programming is preferably done at the manufacturing stage but the possibility exits that this may be done by a control authority.

An example of the operation of the PMU is as follows: TWO TIME ZONE PARKING AREA

In this example, there are two time zones. A first from 0800 hours to 1700 hours where a parking rate of either 12 Baht or 24 Baht applies dependent on the parking area, or where a full day parking of 88 Baht may apply instead. A second from 1700 hours to 0800 hours where parking is free of charge. i) For Park between 0800 hours and 1700 hours No indication is displayed on the PMU until a smart card is inserted. The buzzer will sound to alert the driver if a smart card is inserted but no parking rate has been selected. If a parking rate is selected by pressing the 12B or 24B button before 8.00 am, the unit will be in standby mode until the time reaches 8am. The unit will then change to active mode and a sound transducer will indicate this change from standby mode to active mode. The user must chose the 12B or 24B button dependent on the going parking rate in the parking area they have parked in.

If the smart card value is insufficient for the next deduction, no deduction will take place. The buzzer will sound every 2 seconds and the timer will start to record the expired time. The expired time information will be displayed on the LCD screen. If the user know they are going to be parking in that particular area for the a long time then they may chose to press the FULL button at which point the smart card will be deducted 88 Baht and which then allows the car to remain parked for the whole day. ii) For park between 1700 hours and 0800 hours

After the card has been inserted and the parking rate selected, stored-value deduction will only take place when the time of day falls between 0800 hrs and 1700 hrs. If the unit is active because it is being operated before 1700, once the time reaches 1700, the PMU will then cease to perform any deduction and will enter standby mode. Any rate that may previously have been selected will turn to zero as the unit switches to standby mode. The sound transducer will change its tone. The PMU enters standby mode until the time reaches 0800 hrs, when deduction will commence. THREE TIME ZONE PARKING AREA

Some cities or areas of a city may have more than two time zones. The parking rates may also vary for each time zone. In this example, there are three time zones. A first from 0800 hours to 1700 hours where a parking rate of either 12 Baht or 24 Baht applies dependent on the parking area. A second from 1700 hours to 2200 hours where a parking rate of 12 Baht applies. A third from 2200 hours to 0800 hours where parking is free of charge.

The unit can be preprogrammed to vary the rate of charging (including zero charging) so that for each time band a different rate can be deducted.

If a person parks in a car park at 7 am they can place the unit in standby mode by pressing the either the 12B or 24B button, the selection to be made corresponding to the going parking rate (during active hours) in which the car is parked. The PMU knows that the current time is before 8 am and will not start deducting value from the smart card. As soon as 8 am arrives, the unit will switch from the inactive or standby mode to the active mode and will proceed to deduct either 12 Baht or 24 Baht value from the smart card. This will continue until the unit is deactivated by the user, eg by removing the card or switching the unit off or when the time reaches 5pm. At 5pm the unit will change the rate of value deduction from the smart card to 12 Baht per hour. When 10pm is reached the unit will switch to standby mode. The PMU can be set to accept a full day parking selection by the user pressing the FULL button. The PMU can be programmed to allow parking for the full period between 8am and 5pm or between 8 am and 10pm.

In some areas however, there may be some charge applicable during the entire day. Such a charge may vary according to the time of the day. In such cases the PMU can be prevented or selected to be prevented from entering a standby mode, by for example the .provision of a night parking button which when depressed allows the processor to realise that when for example 10 pm is reached, it should not switch to standby but should switch to a different hour rate or deduct a single value from the stored value card for the entire duration of the night through to 8am. The interrogating unit

A car park warden uses a portable interrogating unit 11 to communicate with PMU 10 via an infra-red commumcation link. Based on information returned by PMU 10, the warden is able to determine if the correct parking rate is selected and if the smart card has depleted.

Fig 7 shows a warden interrogating unit. LCD display panel 70 is the window of communication with the interrogating unit. LCD panel 70 displays information received from the PMU including the RATE chosen and/or any expired time. The on/off button is located on the right of the unit. Upon power up the unit displays the message shown in Fig 8A. Activation of the ENQUIRE button forwards a request to the PMU for the rate chosen by the car driver. LCD display panel 70 will display the message shown in Fig 8B.

If the returned message is CHOICE : 12 Baht/HR

EXPIRED FINE required!

00HR 10 MIN as shown in Fig 8C, the warden should follow instructions by activating the button marked FINE. Once the penalty step is executed, the following message will appear:

FINE 500 Baht Please confirm action as shown in Fig 8D. Action is confirmed by activating the FINE button again. Following activation the action will be confirmed:

FINE SENT as shown in Fig 8E. If the action is not confirmed by activating the FINE button again, the penalty step will be cancelled and the message

Action was cancelled Please try again will be displayed as shown in Fig 8F. The interrogating unit should also be able to query the authenticity of a PMU unit. The interrogating unit may include an integrated or associated printer unit for printing a penalty notice. The interrogating unit may include a 'PRINT' button (not shown) for activating the printer unit. The printer unit may be a mini-printer or palmtop printer suitable for hand-held devices as commonly available in the marketplace. Incorporation of the printer unit with the interrogation unit is within the capabilities of the notional skilled addressee and will not be described herein.

The PMU may store information relating the vehicle and/owners identity. For example the unit may include the vehicle registration details, chassis number, owners name and contact details. The interrogation unit can be used to extract this information from the unit and to its self store this information. The interrogation unit can use some of this information for printing the infringement notice or to keep a record of the vehicles for which infringement notices have been issued. Such information may also be transferred to a central database or processing area, there this information is kept on record. For example if a vehicle owner decides to dispute the infringement notice, the information can be easily recalled by the authority responsible for processing the dispute. The information can then also be easily dealt with for administration purposes. For example sending out reminders. The fine information may also be stored on the PMU so that if this is taken in to a fine processing authority, the data can be retrieved from the PMU and compared to the records of the authority. The rate selected by the user at the time that the infringement notice is generated is also stored on the PMU and interrogation unit. This will reduce the chance of any dispute occurring.

Top-up unit

The system may also include a top up unit for topping up stored value of a depleted smart card. The top up unit may be located at convenient to find places in a city or town.

Fig. 9 shows a smart card top up unit. The top-up unit includes LCD display panel 90 for displaying information such as old value, top-up value and new value. LCD panel 90 may also show when the card is invalid and inform the operator if the top-up amount has exceeded a maximum value.

The .top unit includes on/off button 91 and preset value buttons 92. The first four buttons are for choosing a preset value the amount of monetary value that the card holder wishes to top-up. For example:

Old Value : 423 Baht Top-up : 1000 Baht New Value: 1423 Baht The last or fifth button is for pre-setting the card to 200 Baht and is included for testing and demonstration purposes. The top-up unit should be able to verify the inserted card and top-up value. The top-up unit should also be able to display a current value in the stored-value card, a selected top-up value and a final value after top-up. Upon power up of the top-up unit LDC panel 90 displays "Smart card system" as shown in Fig 10A.

Following insertion of a smart card into the slot provided at the top of the top-up unit a button 92 is selected to add value to the card. All information such as old value top up value and new value is displayed as shown in Fig 10B.

Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the constructions and arrangements of parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention. For example although the embodiment of the invention described herein is configured to operate with the Thai Baht it may be readily reconfigured via suitable software to operate in other world currencies such as USD, GBP, SGD, JPY, HKD etc.

Claims

1. A parking meter unit suitable for mounting in a vehicle, said parking meter unit including: processing means; timing means for supplying timing signals to said processing means; card reading means for deducting value from a stored value card under control of said processing means; and transceiver means operably associated with said processing means for exchanging data with a portable interrogating unit, said portable interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate the status of said parking meter unit remote from said parking meter unit, wherein said processing means has at least a) an active mode wherein value is deducted from said stored value card as a rate or rates selected by said user, and b) a standby mode wherein no value is deducted from said stored value card said processing means switchable between said active and standby modes and in response to said timing means at preselected intervals.

2. A parking meter unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stored value card is deducted in value by said card reading means under the control of said processing means (when in said active mode) which is in a user selected deduction mode selected from one of (a) a single deduction mode wherein a singular deduction is made per user selection and (b) a multiple deduction mode wherein a deduction is made at predetermined time intervals.

3. A parking meter unit as claimed in claim 2 wherein when said processing means is in said active mode and said multiple deduction mode each said deduction is made at a value selected by said user.

4. A parking meter unit as claimed in claims 2 or 3 wherein when said processing means is in said active mode and said multiple deduction mode, said processing means may switch at a predetermined time in response to said timing means from deducting at a value selected by said user to deducting at another value.

5. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said value may be selected by a user when said processing means is in said standby mode.

6. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein a display means is provided for displaying to a user data associated with said status.

7. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said parking meter unit can receive a penalty message from said interrogating unit in response said interrogating unit detecting a status of the parking meter unit which does not match with allowable parameters of valid parking , said penalty message capable of being displayed by said display means.

8. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said transceiver means includes a wireless infra-red transceiver.

9. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said card reading means includes a smart card reader.

10. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display panel.

11. A parking meter unit as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10 including a sound transducer for emitting a sound that varies according to the deduction mode selected.

12. A parking meter unit as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sound transducer for emitting a sound that varies according to the deduction value selected.

13. A parking meter unit according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said processing means includes a micro-controller.

14. A parking meter system including: a parking meter unit suitable for mounting in a vehicle said parking meter unit including: processing means; timing means for supplying timing signals to said processing means; card reading means for deducting value from a stored value card under control of said processing means; and transceiver means operably associated with said processing means wherein said processing means has at least a) an active mode wherein value is deducted from said stored value card as a rate or rates selected by said user, and b) a standby mode wherein no value is deducted from said stored value card said processing means switchable between said active and standby modes and in response to said timing means at preselected intervals, and a portable interrogating unit adapted to exchange data with a portable interrogating unit, said portable interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate the status of said parking meter unit remote from said parking meter unit by communicating via said transceiver means.

15. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said stored value card is deducted in value by said card reading means under the control of said processing means (when in said active mode) which is in a user selected deduction mode selected from one of (a) a single deduction mode wherein a singular deduction is made per user selection and (b) a multiple deduction mode wherein a deduction is made at predetermined time intervals.

16. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 15 wherein when said processing means is in said active mode and said multiple deduction mode each said deduction is made at a value selected by said user.

17. A parking meter system as claimed in claims 15 or 16 wherein when said processing means is in said active mode and said multiple deduction mode, said processing means may switch at a predetermined time in response to said timing means from deducting at a value selected by said user to deducting at another value.

18. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein said value may be selected by a user when said processing means is in said standby mode.

19. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18 wherein a display means is provided for displaying to a user data associated with said status.

20. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein said parking meter unit can receive a penalty message from said interrogating unit in response said interrogating unit detecting a status of the parking meter unit which does not match with allowable parameters of valid parking , said penalty message capable of being displayed by said display means.

21. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20 wherein said transceiver means includes a wireless infra-red transceiver.

22. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21 wherein said card reading means includes a smart card reader.

23. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 22 wherein said display means includes a liquid crystal display panel.

24. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 23 including a sound transducer for emitting a sound that varies according to the deduction mode selected.

25. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 24 wherein said sound transducer for emitting a sound that varies according to the deduction value selected.

26. A parking meter system according to any one of the claims 14 to 25 wherein said processing means includes a micro-controller.

27. A parking meter system according to any one of claims 14 to 26 wherein said interrogating unit includes or is associated with printing means for printing a penalty notice.

28. A parking meter system as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 27 wherein said parking meter includes an information storage means which can store penalty information which is sent from the interrogation unit to the parking meter unit.

29. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said information storage means can also store parking meter unit status information of the status of the parking meter at the time when the penalty information is sent from the interrogation unit.

30. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said parking meter status information includes any one or more selected from (a) the time, (b) the user selected rate and (c) the time elapsed since expiry of the value of said stored value card.

31. A parking meter system including: a parking meter unit suitable for mounting in a vehicle said parking meter unit including: processing means; timing means for supplying timing signals to said processing means; card reading means capable of deducting value from a stored value card under control of said processing means at a user selectable rate; and transceiver means operably associated with said processing means and a portable interrogating unit adapted to exchange data with a portable interrogating unit, said portable interrogating unit being adapted to interrogate the status of said parking meter unit remote from said parking meter unit by communicating via said transceiver means wherein said parking meter unit can receive a penalty message from said interrogating unit in response said interrogating unit detecting a status of the parking meter unit which does not match with allowable parameters of valid parking , said penalty message capable of being displayed by said display means.

32. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 31 wherein said parking meter includes an information storage means which can store penalty information which is sent from the interrogation unit to the parking meter unit.

33. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said information storage means can also store parking meter unit status information of the status of the parking meter at the time when the penalty information is sent from the interrogation unit.

34. A parking meter system as claimed in claim 33 wherein said parking meter status information includes any one or more selected from (a) the time, (b) the user selectable rate and (c) the time elapsed since expiry of the value of said stored value card.

35. A parking meter system or unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said vehicle parking meter includes an information storage means which contains identification information such as the vehicle license plate number, the vehicle chassis number, vehicle owner information.

36. A parking meter system or unit as claimed in claim 35 wherein the identification information is transferable to the interrogation unit and can be stored thereby.